Electrical connection box

• US 6,121,548 A
• Filed: 08/25/1998
• Issued: 09/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Matsuoka, Hideo
• Primary Examiner(s): REICHARD, DEAN ALAN
• Application Number:
  US09/139,329
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 174/72 A, 174/50, 174/59, 174/60, 174/66, 174/67, 220/241, 220/242, 220/3.8
• US Class Current: 174/59
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0239 Electronic boxes

Abstract

The present invention provides an electric connection box capable of preventing water from entering into the inside from the clearance between a closing area and an upper cover, thereby improving the water tightness. An electric connection box formed is formed of synthetic resin and includes a lower cover. An electric component mounting block housed in the lower cover, and an upper cover interfits with the lower cover. In addition, a guiding groove having an open upper area opened for passing a wire harness is provided in the lower cover, and a closing member is provided on the electric component mounting block for closing the guiding groove in the lower cover. Furthermore, in order to close a clearance between the closing member and the upper cover, a projection is formed either on the closing member or on the upper cover. With this projection, water is prevented from entering into the inner area of the electric connection box.

Claims

1. An electric connection box comprising:

a lower cover having an open upper surface;

an electric component mounting block housed in said lower cover and provided with an electric component mounting area for mounting electric components;

an upper cover having an open lower surface configured to interfit with said lower cover, wherein said upper cover engages said lower cover in an assembled condition of said electric connection box;

a guiding groove provided on said lower cover, said guiding groove having an open upper surface for a wire harness to extend through;

a closing member formed unitarily with said electric component mounting block, said closing member configured to close said guiding groove; and

wherein a closing device for closing a clearance between said closing member and said upper cover is provided on one of the electric component mounting block and the upper cover.

2. An electric connection box as set forth in claim 1, wherein said closing device includes a projection formed on said closing member.

3. An electric connection box as set forth in claim 1, wherein said closing device includes a projection formed inside said upper cover.

4. An electric connection box as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mounting block comprises a downwardly extending peripheral side wall, said closing member being formed by a pair of spaced, downwardly extending slots in said side wall.

5. An electric connection box as set forth in claim 4, further comprising a pair of supporting guides, each supporting guide positioned on an opposite side of said guiding groove for receipt within a respective one of said slots.

6. An electric connection box as set forth in claim 4, wherein said closing member further comprises a downwardly extending portion, thereby resulting in a generally T-shape configuration of said closing member.

7. An electric connection box as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an outwardly projecting rim portion formed about an upper periphery of said lower cover for supporting said lower surface of said upper cover.

8. An electric connection box as set forth in claim 7, wherein said closing device includes a projection formed on said closing member that bridges a gap in said rim portion in the area of said guiding groove.

9. An electric connection box as set forth in claim 8, wherein said projection is configured as an outwardly projecting, generally U-shaped portion formed on an upper portion of said closing member.

10. An electric connection box as set forth in claim 7, wherein said closing device includes a projection formed inside said upper cover that bridges a gap in said rim portion in the area of said guiding groove.

11. An electric connection box as set forth in claim 10, wherein said projection is configured as an inwardly extending portion projecting from a lowermost edge of said upper cover.

12. An electric connection box comprising:

a lower cover having an open upper surface;

an electric component mounting block housed in the lower cover and provided with an electric component mounting area for mounting electric components;

an upper cover having an open lower surface which is capable of interfitting with said lower cover;

a guiding groove provided on said lower cover, said guiding groove having an open upper surface for a wire harness to extend through;

a closing member for closing said guiding groove provided on said electric component mounting block; and

wherein a closing device for closing a clearance between said closing member and said upper cover is provided on one of the electric component mounting block and the upper cover, wherein said closing device includes a projection formed on said closing member that bridges a gap in said rim portion in the area of said guiding groove, and said projection being configured as an outwardly projecting, generally U-shaped portion formed on an upper portion of said closing member.

13. An electric connection box comprising:

a lower cover having an open upper surface;

an electric component mounting block housed in the lower cover and provided with an electric component mounting area for mounting electric components;

an upper cover having an open lower surface which is capable of interfitting with said lower cover;

a guiding groove provided on said lower cover, said guiding groove having an open upper surface for a wire harness to extend through, and an outwardly projecting rim portion formed about an upper periphery of said lower cover for supporting said lower surface of said upper cover;

a closing member for closing said guiding groove provided on said electric component mounting block; and

wherein a closing device for closing a clearance between said closing member and said upper cover is provided on one of the electric component mounting block and the upper cover, said closing device including a projection formed inside said upper cover that bridges a gap in said rim portion in the area of said guiding groove, said projection being configured as an inwardly extending portion projecting from a lowermost edge of said upper cover.